Stick to the gameplan - Marlin

Ajax Cape Town coach Calvin Marlin lauded his charges’ fighting spirit following their tightly contested clash with Tshakuma Tsha Madzivhandila in the first game of the promotion-relegation playoffs, which saw the Urban Warriors winning 3-2 at the Rand Stadium on Sunday.

The Mother City-based outfit had to come back from a 2-1 deficit to win the tie, thanks to goals from substitutes Sonwabile Mfencane and Keegan Johannes.

Despite finding it difficult to win the match, Marlin said he was just content with getting maximum points.

“We got exactly what we wanted, the three points, that’s all that mattered. Conceding those two goals was a bit disappointing, but it was good to see the boys fight again. We are obviously disappointed with our possession at times and the decision-making and the quality of our passes wasn’t up to scratch,” said the Ajax coach.

“Sometimes you just have to keep it simple, just put the ball in the box and things will happen, and that’s what happened with the first goal, but then we conceded those two in five minutes. I was having a chat with my assistant coach and I didn’t see what was happening, it happened so quickly. But good to see the boys that came on (substitutes), fought well and got the other two goals to win it 3-2.”

Going forward, Marlin added how important it was for his charges to remember game plans because some of the things he had warned his players about, had happened exactly as he said they would.

“We have to get little bit better on the ball, better tactically, and when we discuss things as a team to remember what we have discussed. That’s exactly how they scored the first goal. It’s exactly what I said, you don’t leave somebody free inside the box.”

With three teams competing for one Absa Premiership spot, Ajax top the mini-league and face Black Leopards tomorrow.